K.P. Cheung, Department
of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong
This page started in July 1997
Sundials have been used over thousands of years in various forms to tell time/day/season, when there is sunlight falling on it. Since the development of mechanical watches/ clocks in mid 1800s, sundials have largely become monumental. And often, inscriptions are found on sundials, inducing recollection and thoughts:
"Sometimes the heaven shines, and often is its golden complexion dimmed" - from a sonnet of William Shakespare (1564-1616 A.D.).
"...... there is nothing new under the sun, ...... there is an appointed time for everything" - from Chapters 1 and 3, Ecclesiastes, The Bible, narrated through King Solomon at about 1000 B.C.
"...... 
......"
(...... Oh the time is not favouring me, yet my fighting horse 
is not forsaking me ......). An inscription probably one would make on a sundial
if it would be erected on the west side of Wu Jiang (......
-
meaning River 
),
in memory of King Xiang-Yu (
),
who emerged after the fall of Qin Dynasty (
)
in China at about 200 B.C.
